Caught in Crystal: A Lyra Novel by Patricia Collins Wrede Page B

without finishing the clearing up.

CHAPTER
SEVEN
    K AYL WOKE AT DAWN next day; her usual habits were reasserting themselves. A steady, drenching rain still fell outside her window. As she dressed in the semidarkness, Kayl thought of the mud and groaned. Mark was sure to drag it all over the inn if she didn’t watch him closely.
    She finished dressing and went out into the serving room. The unwashed bowls and mugs reproached her with their silent presence. Kayl looked at them with resentment. Even an innkeeper ought to be allowed a few moments of self-indulgence now and then! Two of the mugs clacked together as she scooped them angrily off of one of the tables. Kayl blinked and shook herself. She was behaving as badly as Mark, sulking because the world would not turn to her liking. She set the mugs down more carefully and went on with her work.
    The familiar tasks were oddly comforting. Kayl did them like a sleepwalker performing a ritual: light the fire, draw the water, open the shutters, sweep the floor. She did the children’s chores as well as her own. Mark and Dara were tired after two busy nights in a row; let them sleep for now.
    The children emerged at last, just as two of the inn’s guests were leaving. Kayl collected her money and saw the guests off before turning back to Mark and Dara. Dara was frowning after the departing guests and chewing her lower lip. “Something wrong?” Kayl asked.
    “Nnnnno. It’s just that we’ve only got one room full now.”
    “And that’s not enough; I heard you tell Bryn so once.”
    “Two rooms,” Kayl corrected. “You’ve forgotten the man who arrived last night.” She caught herself just in time to avoid giving Glyndon’s name, and wondered again why he had asked for such secrecy.
    “Oh.” Dara’s expression lightened. “That’s all right, then. Where’s breakfast?”
    “Waiting for you in the kitchen. I’ve done most of your early chores, so you two can go right in and get started.”
    “Done the chores?” Mark said, staring in bewildered surprise. “But—”
    Dara dug her elbow into his ribs. When he turned to glare at her, she gave him a significant look. “Thanks, Mother,” she said. “Come on, Mark.”
    “Thanks,” Mark echoed, and followed her.
    Kayl watched them go, wondering what they’d been plotting this time. They ought to go to Currin’s for lessons today, and for once she wouldn’t have to worry about how to pay him. After two busy evenings, she had a pleasant surplus of coins. She frowned, wishing she could afford more than two afternoons of lessons each week. Perhaps if her luck held, and the inn stayed busy until people started heading for the Fall Fairs…
    She heard a sound on the stair and looked up. It was Corrana, dressed once more in her black traveling robes. Kayl cleared her throat, knowing what was coming. “May I help you, Your Virtue?”
    “I have hope of it. I have come for your decision.”
    “I still don’t see why you want me,” Kayl temporized.
    “Because you have been to the Twisted Tower,” Corrana said. “And because you were one of the best.”
    The unconscious echo of Barthelmy’s long-ago dream struck Kayl like a blow. “We failed at the Tower,” she said harshly. “And I’m not one of the best anymore, not after fifteen years without even practicing. You’ll have to look elsewhere, Your Virtue; I have no reason to go back to the Tower.”
    Corrana sighed. “Will you at least come with me to Kith Alunel and hear the Elder Mothers’ reasons for wanting you to return to the Twisted Tower?”
    “Kayl, don’t do it.”
    Kayl turned her head, startled, to find Glyndon shal Morag standing on the stairs. “Glyndon, what—“
    “Don’t go back,” Glyndon repeated. His face was pale, and he looked unwell. “Anywhere else, but not the Tower.”
    “A Varnan!” Corrana said with loathing.
    “A guest at this inn,” Kayl corrected. She was surprised that Corrana had placed Glyndon’s accent so